Mounting and fastening system rail

ABSTRACT

A mounting and fastening system rail has an inboard-outboard axis, and comprises: a rail inboard surface extending transversely with respect to the axis; a rail outboard surface extending transversely with respect to the axis; at least one sidewall extending between the rail inboard and outboard surfaces and having at least one hanger mounting edge; and at least one endwall extending between the rail inboard and outboard surfaces and having an incurvate tapered surface extending between the rail inboard and outboard surfaces and tapering in an axially inboard and radially inward direction.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to mechanical engineering systems andcomponents and, more particularly, to mounting systems, fasteningsystems, and related mounting and fastening components.

BACKGROUND

Simple mounting and fastening systems include a first component havingan outboard surface with an internally threaded hole, and a secondcomponent having an inboard surface located against the outboard surfaceof the first component, an oppositely disposed outboard surface, and athroughbore therebetween and axially aligned with the internallythreaded hole of the first component. Such systems also include afastener having a shank that extends through the throughbore in thesecond component and that has an externally threaded portion threadedinto the internally threaded hole, and also having an enlarged headengaged either directly against the outboard surface of the secondcomponent or indirectly via an annular washer circumscribing the shank.

Such systems are ancient, and work very well for many applications. Butin other applications, an area of fastener clamp loading is too small toprevent loosening of the system due to vibration or thermal cycling. Andsome applications are subjected to forces so sudden and so great thatthe fasteners plastically stretch, fracture, or otherwise fail, therebypotentially resulting in separation of the fastened components. In anon-limiting example, systems for mounting and fastening ballisticsdeterrent equipment on armored-vehicles are subjected to wide rangedynamic forces from ballistic events from bullets, rocket-propelledgrenades, projectiles from mines and improvised explosive devices, andother ballistic projectiles. Such forces can compromise the integrity ofthe fasteners, such that the fasteners fail to constrain the ballisticsdeterrent equipment and may expose an armored-vehicle to completepenetration from subsequent ballistic projectiles.

Traditional solutions to such problems include increasing the size,quantity, and/or material quality of the fasteners. But such solutionsmay result in designs that are too costly, too heavy, too unreliable, orotherwise insufficient.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In accordance with an embodiment, a mounting and fastening system railhas an inboard-outboard axis, and comprises: a rail inboard surfaceextending transversely with respect to the axis; a rail outboard surfaceextending transversely with respect to the axis; at least one sidewallextending between the rail inboard and outboard surfaces and having atleast one hanger mounting edge; and at least one endwall extendingbetween the rail inboard and outboard surfaces and having an incurvatetapered surface extending between the rail inboard and outboard surfacesand tapering in an axially inboard and radially inward direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, exploded, perspective view according to anillustrative embodiment of a mounting and fastening system including amounting adapter configured to be fastened to a first component and toadapt mounting of a second component to the first component;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, assembled, perspective view of the mounting andfastening system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the mounting andfastening system of FIG. 1, taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, exploded, perspective view according to anotherillustrative embodiment of a mounting and fastening system;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, assembled, perspective view of the mounting andfastening system of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the mounting andfastening system of FIG. 4, taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, partially exploded, perspective view of afurther illustrative embodiment of a mounting and fastening systemincluding the system of FIGS. 1-3 and further including a clamp forcoupling thereto;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, assembled, perspective view of the mounting andfastening system of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the mounting andfastening system of FIG. 7, taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, partially exploded, perspective view accordingto a further illustrative embodiment of a mounting and fastening systemincluding a mounting adapter fastened to a first component and extendinginto edge scallops of second and third components mounted to the firstcomponent;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, assembled, perspective view of the mountingand fastening system of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the mounting andfastening system of FIG. 10, taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary, partially exploded, perspective view ofanother illustrative embodiment of a mounting and fastening systemincluding the system of FIGS. 1-3, and further including rails extendingbetween mounting adapters, end clamps coupled to the mounting adaptersand the rails, and an illustrative embodiment of a hanger and a relateddevice for slidable coupling between spaced apart rails;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary, assembled, perspective view of the mountingand fastening system of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of themounting and fastening system of FIG. 13, taken along line 15-15 of FIG.14;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary, partially exploded, perspective view of themounting and fastening system of FIG. 13, and another illustrativeembodiment of a hanger for slidable straddling across spaced apartrails;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary, assembled, perspective view of the mountingand fastening system of FIG. 16 and equipment coupled to the hanger;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of themounting and fastening system of FIG. 16, taken along line 18-18 of FIG.17;

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary, exploded, perspective view according to afurther illustrative embodiment of a mounting and fastening systemincluding a rail and end clamps, and mounting adapters fastened to afirst component and extending into edge scallops of second and thirdcomponents mounted to the first component; and

FIG. 20 is a partially exploded, assembled, perspective view of amounting and fastening system including a rail, end caps coupled to endsof the rail, and an accessory coupled to an outboard surface of therail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, mounting and fastening systems and related mounting andfastening components will be described using one or more examples ofillustrative embodiments of the systems and components in anillustrative environment: an armor mounting and fastening system.However, it will be appreciated as the description proceeds that thedisclosed inventions are useful in many different applications and maybe implemented in many other embodiments. As used herein, the term “may”is an expedient merely to indicate optionality, for instance, of anelement, feature, or other thing, and cannot be reasonably construed asrendering indefinite any disclosure herein.

One or more of the embodiments disclosed below may provide improvedtechniques for engineered ballistics-reactive fastening for attachingarmor and the like to various vehicles, as discussed below. Engineeredfastening and mounting systems protect fasteners from ballistics events,while dissipating ballistic energy, and without compromising fundamentalarmor attachment principles.

With previous methods, armor is attached to a vehicle using a simplebolt and heavy washer that thread through holes in the armor intothreaded bosses. Such methods present several potential issues. First,minimal surface contact between the washer and the armor may limit theamount of clamp load that can be applied to a panel withoutdamaging/cracking the panel. Accordingly, such panels are attached withlow clamp loads that may not be adequate to prevent loosening due tovibration or thermal cycling. Second, there is little to no lateralsupport for attachment of the bolt. So, for instance, if an exposed bolthead is struck by a bullet from any angle it may shear off and releaseits attachment of the armor.

Referring specifically to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3 show an illustrativeembodiment of a mounting and fastening system 10. The system 10 mayinclude a base or first component 12, and an appliqué or secondcomponent 14 configured to be coupled to the first component 12. Also,the system 10 includes an illustrative embodiment of a mounting adapter16 configured to be coupled to the first component 12 and to adaptmounting of the second component 14 to the first component 12.Additionally, the system 10 includes a bolt 18 configured to extendthrough the mounting adapter 16 and to be threadably fastened to thefirst component 12, and a washer 20 configured to circumscribe a portionof the bolt 18 and to engage the mounting adapter 16.

The first component 12 includes a first outboard surface 22 having athreaded hole 24 with a threaded hole axis 26. The first component 12includes a mounting boss 28 establishing part of the first outboardsurface 22 and including a cylindrical outward surface 30 configured tocooperate with an inboard counterbore 32 (FIG. 3) of the mountingadapter 16. The outboard surface 22 of the first component 12 alsoincludes an externally sloped surface 34 at a boss outboard end 36 ofthe mounting boss 16. The sloped surface 34 may be a circumferentiallycontinuous surface, and may include a straight-tapered external chamfer,a rounded fillet, or a sloped surface of any other suitable slopedshape. The mounting boss 16 may include a weldment, for instance, aninternally threaded cylinder welded to, what may be an otherwise flat,outboard surface 22 of the first component 12. In a non-limitingexample, the first component 12 may include, or be a part of, a frame,body, hull, or other like portion of a vehicle, for instance, an armoredtank, ship, aircraft, or the like.

The second component 14 includes a second inboard surface 38 facing thefirst outboard surface 22 of the first component 12, a second outboardsurface 40, and a second tapered surface 42 extending between the secondoutboard and inboard surfaces 38, 40 and that tapers in an axiallyinboard and radially inward direction. In the illustrated embodiment,the second tapered surface 42 may be incurvate, or circular intransverse cross section, and part of a frustoconical passage throughthe second component 14. In other embodiments, the second taperedsurface 42 may be of any suitable shape. In a non-limiting example, thesecond component 14 may include, or be a part of, ballistics-deterrentequipment, for instance, an armor panel, a deployable deflector, anexplosive ballistics-reactive device, or the like. The second component14 may be composed of metal, for instance, tempered aluminum or steel,or composites, or ceramics, or any other material suited for resistanceto shock and impact from ballistics projectiles.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second components 12, 14are in direct contact with one another. Additionally, the first andsecond components 12, 14 may be provided with correspondinginterengagement features 13, 15, for example, an edge of a vehicle bodypanel that extends beyond an adjacent body panel to create an attachmentkey for a corresponding keyway in an armor panel. The interengagementfeatures 13, 15 may cooperate such that the armor panel may be hung ontothe vehicle. For instance, in the illustrated embodiment, the first andsecond components 12, 14 may be interengaged, for example, via atongue-and-groove configured features 13, 15 as exemplified in FIG. 3,or via interengagement of dovetail features, interdigitated features, orthe like. But in other embodiments, the first and second components 12,14 need not be in direct contact with one another, such that they may beaxially spaced apart. Likewise, in other embodiments, the first andsecond components 12, 14 need not be interengaged.

The mounting adapter 16 may be of unitary construction, and may becomposed of the same material as the second component 14, or of anyother material suitable for use in any particular application. In anycase, the mounting adapter 16 may be configured to adapt mounting of thesecond component 14 with respect to the first component 12.

The mounting adapter 16 includes a radially inward portion 44 includinga throughbore 46 having a throughbore axis 48 and being configured tocarry the bolt 18 therein.

The mounting adapter 16 further includes an outboard end 50 including anadapter outboard surface 52 extending transversely with respect to theaxis 48, and also may include an outboard counterbore 54 in the adapteroutboard surface 52. As used herein, the terminology “transversely” mayinclude perpendicularly disposed, or otherwise acutely or obtuselydisposed at any suitable non-zero angle with respect to a suitablereference axis or plane, for instance, the throughbore axis 48.

The mounting adapter 16 also includes an inboard end 56 including anadapter inboard surface 58 extending transversely with respect to theaxis 48, and also may include the inboard counterbore 32 in the adapterinboard surface 58 in communication with the throughbore 46. The inboardend 56 further may include an internally sloped surface 60 between theinboard counterbore 32 and the inboard surface 58. The internally slopedsurface 60 may be a fully circumferentially continuous surface and mayinclude a straight-tapered internal chamfer, rounded fillet, or thelike. In any event, the internally sloped surface 60 may cooperate withthe corresponding externally sloped surface 34 of the mounting boss 16,for example, for locating the second component 14 to the first component12. Also, the adapter inboard surface 58 may be in contact with thefirst outboard surface 22 of the first component 12. Additionally, theinboard counterbore 32 may fit snugly over the outside diameter of themounting boss 36.

With respect to FIG. 3, the mounting adapter 16 further includes aradially outward portion 62 having a tapered outward surface 64 thattapers in an axially inboard and radially inward direction. The taperedoutward surface 64 may be excurvate, or circular in transverse crosssection, and, thus, frustoconical, such that the adapter is of truncatedconical shape. In other embodiments, the tapered outward surface 64 maybe of any suitable tapered shape. In any case, the mounting adapter 16may be configured such that the tapered outward surface 64 of themounting adapter 16 cooperates with the second tapered surface 42 of thesecond component 14, and such that the adapter inboard surface 58 of themounting adapter 16 faces the first outboard surface 22 of the firstcomponent 12, and may contact that surface 22.

The mounting adapter 16 may have any dimensions suitable for aparticular application, but some illustrative dimensions follow. Aconical opening angle of the mounting adapter 16 may be between 10degrees and 45 degrees, including all ranges, sub-ranges, endpoints, andvalues in that range including the illustrated angle. An axial depth ofthe inboard counterbore 32 may be between 4 mm and 20 mm, including allranges, sub-ranges, endpoints, and values in that range. The axial depthof the inboard counter bore 32 may be matched to the height of themounting boss 28. The height of this fit up between the two componentsprovides resistance to side impact forces. By increasing this heightresistance to side loads can be increased to protect the bolt 18 fromshear forces that can cause bolt fracture. The height relationship canbe adjusted, for example, to fine tune a precise shear load resistancerequired for an application or to resist a specific caliber of ballisticimpact.

In the illustrative vehicle armor application, to laterally locate anarmor panel and to clamp the armor panel securely in place, thepresently disclosed mounting adapter 16 can be applied thereto, forexample, such that there may be a limited and controlled clearancebetween the corresponding tapered surfaces, for instance, to allow forvehicle fabrication variation.

The bolt 18 may be of unitary construction, and may be composed ofmetal, for instance, steel or aluminum, or may be composed of any othermaterial suitable for a particular purpose. In any case, the bolt 18includes a shank 66 extending through the throughbore 46 of the mountingadapter 16 and having an externally threaded portion threaded into thethreaded hole 24 of the first component 12, and includes a head 68 thatmay be carried in the outboard counterbore 54 of the mounting adapter 16as shown in the illustrated embodiment. In other embodiments, the head68 may be carried against the outboard surface 52 of the mountingadapter 16.

The bolt 18 through the mounting adapter 16 can be fully torqued toclamp load specification for the size of that particular bolt 18. Themounting adapter 16 may resist ballistics impact forces from alldirections, for example, because of its engagement onto the outside ofthe mounting boss 28. This configuration may prevent the bolt 18 frombeing sheared off, by supporting and capturing the bolt 18 within themounting adapter 16.

The washer 20 may be of flat, unitary construction, and may be composedof metal, for instance, steel, titanium, or aluminum, or may be composedof ballistics resistant composite, or any other material suitable for aparticular purpose. In any case, the washer may be disposed between thebolt head 68 and the mounting adapter 16. In this embodiment, the washer20 may be used to distribute forces, surface protection of the mountingadapter 16, or for any other suitable reason. In other embodiments, thewasher 20 may be of wave spring, bell spring, or of any other suitableshape and type, including the type disclosed in the followingembodiment.

FIGS. 4-6 show another illustrative embodiment of a mounting andfastening system 110. This embodiment is similar in many respects to theembodiment of FIGS. 1-3 and like numerals between the embodimentsgenerally designate like or corresponding elements throughout theseveral views of the drawing figures. Accordingly, the descriptions ofthe embodiments are hereby incorporated into one another, anddescription of subject matter common to the embodiments generally maynot be repeated.

In this embodiment, a first component 112 includes an outboard surface122 and a threaded passage 124 therein. Instead of a weldment, amounting adapter 116 includes a head 170 of a mounting bolt 172 threadedinto the threaded passage 124.

The bolt 118 may be of unitary construction and composed of may becomposed of the same material as the first component 12, high carbonsteel, or any other material suitable for use in any particularapplication. The bolt 118 includes the head 170 with flats 174 on flatopposite sides and semi-cylindrical portions 176 on rounded oppositesides interposed between the flat opposite 174 sides, a shank 178extending from the head 170, an externally threaded portion 180 on theshank 178, and a passage 182 extending through the head 170 and into atleast a portion of the shank 178 and having an internally threadedportion 184 in the passage 182. The externally threaded portion 180 maybe multi-lobed whereas the internally threaded portion 184 may becylindrical. In a multi-lobed embodiment, the bolt 118 may be threadedinto a panel to generate formed threads, which can result in strongerfastening tensile strength and thread root hardness and thereby resultin greater resistance to fastener fatigue and loosening.

FIG. 6 shows another illustrative embodiment of a mounting adapter 116,wherein the mounting adapter 116 includes a counterbore 132 in aninboard surface 158 of the mounting adapter 116 to accept the head ofthe mounting bolt 172.

FIG. 6 also shows another illustrative embodiment of a sacrificialwasher 186, which may be carried on a bolt shank 166 between a bolt head168 and the mounting adapter 116. The sacrificial washer 186 may includemultiple components including an inboard shell 188 in contact with themounting adapter 116 and an outboard shell 190 in contact with the bolthead 168. The sacrificial washer 186 and various other embodimentsthereof are further disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser.No. 16/142,417, filed Sep. 26, 2018, and entitled SACRIFICIAL WASHER ANDRELATED COMPONENTS, which is assigned to the assignee hereof and ishereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The sacrificial washer 186 may assist in allowing the system 110 tocollapse a controlled distance when an applied load on the bolt 118 ofthe system 110 from a ballistic event reaches a known bolt yield point.The sacrificial washer 186 may assist in allowing the system 110 tostretch the bolt 118 but only up to a suitable amount, whereby thesacrificial washer 186 will collapse or crush to dissipate excesstension that would otherwise be loaded to the bolt 118. This controlledrelease of peak energy can prevent bolt fracture failure.

Such sacrificial washers 186 used for armor attachment may enhanceground platform survivability, and may render unnecessary any increasein fastener size to successfully resist the effects of ballistic events.Instead, standard fasteners may be used to secure armor in place duringheavy duty day-to-day use. Performance of sacrificial washers 186 willbe resistant to the effects of severe environments such as extremevibration or thermal cycling. But when a ballistic event occurs thesedevices will enhance armor retention by limiting fastener fracturefailure.

FIGS. 7-9 show an illustrative embodiment of a clamp 292 configured tobe clamped to the mounting and fastening system 10 of FIGS. 1-3, or toany other suitable system. The clamp 292 may be an assembly having aninboard-outboard axis 294, and including multiple, individual, matingclamp components 292 a, 292 b clampable toward one another in adirection transverse to the axis 294. Each clamp component 292 a,b maybe of unitary construction and may be composed of air hardening toolsteel with resistance to high shock and impact, for instance, S-7 gradesteel, or the same material used to produce armor panels, or any othermaterial suitable for a particular application.

In any case, the clamp 292 includes one or more clamp outboard surfaces296 a,b extending transversely with respect to the axis 294, and one ormore clamp inboard surfaces 298 a,b extending transversely with respectto the axis 294, and facing the second outboard surface 40 of the secondcomponent 14. The clamp 292 also includes one or more tapered inwardsurfaces 300 a,b (FIG. 9) extending between the clamp inboard andoutboard surfaces 298, 296 and tapering in an axially inboard andradially inward direction for cooperation with the tapered outwardsurface 64 of the mounting adapter 16. The clamp 292 also includes oneor more sidewalls 302 a,b having one or more outward surfaces 304 a,bextending between the clamp inboard and outboard surfaces 298 a,b, 296a,b. The clamp outward surfaces 304 a,b may be sloped, extending in anaxially inboard and radially inward direction, and may have a straighttaper and may be of truncated conical shape.

With respect to FIG. 7, the clamp 292 also may include mating inwardsurfaces 306 a,b, 308 a,b extending between the inboard and outboardsurfaces 298 a,b, 296 a,b, and configured for surface contact betweenthe first and second mating components 292 a,b. The clamp 292 also mayinclude one or more clamp outboard walls 310 a,b extending to thesidewall 302 a,b and that may cover at least a portion of the mountingadapter 16 and also may cover at least a portion of the bolt 18. One ofthe clamp components 292 a,b may include a lobe 312 and the other of theclamp components 292 a,b may include a pocket 314 corresponding in shapeto the lobe 312 and into which the lobe 312 extends such that theoutboard surfaces 296 a,b of the components 292 a,b extend completelytransversely across the mating portions at outboard ends thereof. Theclamp 292 also may include fasteners 316 to fasten the clamp components292 a,b together. For example, the fasteners 316 may extendtangentially, with respect to the inboard-outboard axis 294 of the clamp292, through the sidewall 302 a,b and through the mating surfaces 308a,b. Accordingly, the clamp 292 may include throughbores 318,counterbores 320, and threaded passages 322 to accommodate bolts 324, asillustrated.

Also, with respect to FIG. 9, the clamp 292 may include a first gasket293 in contact with the clamp inboard surface 298 and adapted forcontact against the second outboard surface 40 of the second component14, and a second gasket 295 in contact with inboard surfaces of theoutboard walls 310 a,b. And, although not illustrated, the clamp 292also may include one or more gaskets between the mating surfaces 306a,b, 308 a,b of the clamp components 292 a,b. Accordingly, the clamp 292may provide one or more seals to protect underlying components from gasand/or liquid intrusion, and also may protect the underlying componentsfrom ballistics events and projectiles.

In the illustrative armored vehicle environment, the armor panel willnot easily separate from the underlying vehicle, due to the mountingadapter 16, and can be further clamped to the vehicle via the clamp 292.The presently disclosed clamp 292 has the taper 300 corresponding tothat of the mounting adapter 16 so that as the clamp components 292 a,bare bolted together, the clamp 292 is forced downward against the armorpanel. When the clamp components 292 a,b are fully tightened against oneanother to a prescribed clamp load specification, then a prescribedmaximum pressure is exerted against the armor panel. So, via thecooperating tapered surfaces 64, 300 a,b, it is possible to completelytighten the clamp fasteners 316 for maximum retention while applying asuitable clamping force to the armor panel. In addition, the bolts 316that connect the clamp components 292 a,b can be engineered to breakaway at a prescribed force. If this is desired, then it may allow themounting adapter 16 to mushroom outward, split, and expel the clamp 292,thereby limiting the transfer of force into the armor yet still maintainretention of the armor.

FIGS. 10-12 show an illustrative embodiment of the clamp 292 of FIGS.7-9 configured to be clamped to the mounting adapter 16 of FIGS. 1-3 andto second and third components 14′, 14″ spaced apart from one anotherand carried on, or otherwise outboard with respect to, the firstcomponent 12 of FIGS. 1-3. In this embodiment, the second and thirdcomponents 14′, 14″ include second and third tapered surfaces 42′, 42″.In the illustrated embodiment, the tapered surfaces 42′, 42″ may beincurvate and part of frustoconical scallops in corresponding edges 15′,15″ of the second and third components 526, 528. In other embodiments,the tapered surfaces 526, 528 may be of any suitable shape.

FIGS. 13-18 show other illustrative embodiments of mounting andfastening system 610. These embodiments are similar in many respects tothe embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 and like numerals between the embodimentsgenerally designate like or corresponding elements throughout theseveral views of the drawing figures. Accordingly, the descriptions ofthe embodiments are hereby incorporated into one another, anddescription of subject matter common to the embodiments generally maynot be repeated.

FIGS. 13-14 illustrate the first and second components 12, 14, aplurality of the mounting adapter 16 and the bolt 18 of FIGS. 1-3, endclamps 692 outward of the mounting adapters 16, rails 738 inward of themounting adapters 16 and extending therebetween, and a hanger 740adapted to be coupled to one or more of the rails 738.

With respect to FIG. 13, like the clamps illustrated in FIGS. 7-12, herethe end clamps 692 also may have tapered surfaces 700 that cooperatewith the tapered outward surfaces 64 of the mounting adapters 16 tofurther restrain the rail 738. The system further may include fasteners742 extending tangentially with respect to an inboard-outboard axis 694of the end clamp 692 and through a sidewall 702 of the end clamp 692.Fasteners 742 may be used to fasten the end clamp 692 and rail 738together, and may extend tangentially, with respect to the axis 694,through clamp mating surfaces 708. Once coupled to the rail 738, the endclamps 692 may project laterally outward with respect to the rail 738 soas to restrain translation of the hanger 740 and thereby further trapthe hanger 740 to other portions of the system 610 as generallyexemplified in FIG. 14.

With reference to FIG. 15, each rail 738 includes a rail inboard surface744 extending transversely with respect to an inboard-outboard axis 694extending in an inboard-outboard direction, and facing the secondoutboard surface 40 of the second component 14. Each rail 738 alsoincludes a rail outboard surface 746 extending transversely with respectto the axis 694, and one or more sidewalls 748 extending axially betweenthe rail inboard and outboard surfaces 744, 746.

With respect to FIG. 13, the rail 738 also may include at least onetransversely extending endwall 750 extending between the rail inboardand outboard surfaces 744, 746 and between the sidewalls 748. In theillustrated embodiment, the endwall 750 may carry a tapered surface 752for cooperation with the mounting adapter tapered surface 64. Inembodiments where the mounting adapter 16 is of conical shape, the railtapered surface 752 may be incurvate. In some embodiments, the railtapered surface 752 may not be merely in an endwall 750 but may becircumferentially continuous and surrounded by material of the rail 738such that the rail tapered surface is a frustoconical passage throughthe rail 738. In the illustrated embodiment, the endwall 750 also mayinclude a clamp mating surface 754, which may be configured for surfacecontact with, or otherwise coupled to, the rail mating inward surface708 of a corresponding one of the end clamps 692. The clamp matingsurface 754 also may have at least one threaded fastener passagetherein.

With reference to FIG. 15, the rail 738 may include at least one hangermounting edge 758. As illustrated, both sidewalls 748 have hangermounting edges 758. The hanger mounting edge 758 may include at leastone tapered surface 760, that may taper in an axially inboard andradially inward direction, for cooperation with a corresponding taperedsurface of the hanger 740. In any case, the edge 758 may include inboardand outboard tapered surfaces 760, 762. The tapered surfaces 760, 762may axially extend for a distance greater than 75% of the axial distancebetween the outboard and inboard surfaces 746, 744. The outboard taperedsurface 762 extends in a direction extending from the rail outboardsurface 746 toward a taper apex 764 and the inboard tapered surface 762extends in a direction extending from the apex 764 toward the railinboard surface 744. The taper apex 764 may be disposed at a locationthat is 25% to 75% of the distance between the rail outboard and inboardsurfaces 746, 744.

The system 610 also may include the hanger 740 coupled to one or both ofthe rails 692. In the illustrated embodiment, the hanger 740 is carriedbetween spaced apart rails 738. The hanger 740 may have a hanger taper766 cooperating with the sidewalls 748 via dove tail engagement whereinthe hanger 740 is translatable along the rail(s) 738. The hanger 740 maybe an integral part of, or as shown, may be coupled to, equipment E,which, in the illustrative environment, may include ballistics-deterrentequipment. In other embodiments, the equipment E may include tools,displays, storage hardware, or any other products, devices, articles, orthe like that may be suitable for hanging on one or more rails 738 forany purpose.

FIGS. 16-18 illustrate the system of FIGS. 13-15, but with a hanger 840that straddles the rails 738. The hanger 840 includes a first portion868 having a first inward facing taper 870 (FIG. 18) adapted tocooperate with a first outward facing taper 872 of one of the rails 738,and a second portion 874 adjustably coupled to the first portion 868 andhaving a second inward facing taper 876 adapted to cooperate with asecond outward facing taper 772 of another one of the rails 738. Thesecond portion 874 may be adjustably coupled to the first portion 768 byfasteners 878 extending through corresponding portions of the secondportion 874 and being threadable into corresponding portions of thefirst portion 868. The first and second portions 868, 874 may be splitat one outward end 780, as illustrated, or may be split at an oppositeend 881 or at both ends 880, 881 or at any location therebetween.

FIGS. 19 and 20 also show another illustrative embodiment of end clamps892 and a rail 938 coupled thereto and therebetween. The end clamps 892have outboard surfaces 896 that cover the underlying mounting adapters16 and bolts 18. The rail 938 has an outboard surface that may be flushwith the outboard surfaces 896 of the clamps 892. Further, the clamps892 may include lobes 912 and the rail 938 may include correspondingpockets 914 corresponding in shape to the lobes 938 and into which thelobes 938 extend such that the outboard surfaces of the end clamps 892and the rail 938 extend completely transversely thereacross at outboardends thereof.

FIG. 19 illustrates the mounting adapters 16 fastened to the firstcomponent 12 and coupled to the second and third components 14′, 14″,wherein a rail 938 at least partially covers a gap or seam between thesecond and third components 14′, 14″. Those of ordinary skill in the artwill recognize that the system 810 can be adapted to cover an entirelength of such a seam and, for example, using suitable gasket materialcan be used to seal off the seam, for instance, via a liquid-tight seal.Accordingly, the mounting and fastening system 910 can be used toprotect underlying equipment from liquid intrusion.

FIG. 20 illustrates that the rail 938 may include one or more couplers984 adapted to carry an accessory 986, for instance, the illustratedsatellite dish, or any other tools, hardware, or anything else suitablefor mounting to the rail 938. The couplers 984 may include one or morethreaded passages, studs, bosses, pockets, or any other couplingsuitable for carrying an accessory or other system hardware.

In general, the components of the systems can be manufactured accordingto techniques known to those skilled in the art, including molding,machining, stamping, and the like. Also, the systems can be assembledaccording to known techniques. Likewise, any suitable materials can beused in making the components, such as metals, composites, polymericmaterials, and the like.

It is believed that armor can be securely located and attached using thepresent teachings, using fewer attachment points than has beenpreviously used. This may result in a superior armor retention strategywith a modest ground platform weight reduction. Also, the presentteachings can be retrofitted to prior production vehicles that use armorattachment points in the form of a threaded ring welded onto the vehiclesurface.

As used in this patent application, the terminology “for example,” “forinstance,” “like,” “such as,” “comprising,” “having,” “including,” andthe like, when used with a listing of one or more elements, isopen-ended, meaning that the listing does not exclude additionalelements. Likewise, when preceding an element, the articles “a,” “an,”“the,” and “said” mean that there are one or more of the elements.Moreover, directional words such as front, rear, top, bottom, upper,lower, radial, circumferential, axial, lateral, longitudinal, vertical,horizontal, transverse, and/or the like are employed by way of exampleand not necessarily limitation. Other terms are to be interpreted andconstrued in the broadest reasonable manner in accordance with theirordinary and customary meaning in the art, unless the terms are used ina context that requires a different interpretation.

Finally, the present disclosure is not a definitive presentation of aninvention claimed in this patent application, but is merely apresentation of examples of illustrative embodiments of the claimedinvention. More specifically, the present disclosure sets forth one ormore examples that are not limitations on the scope of the claimedinvention or on terminology used in the accompanying claims, exceptwhere terminology is expressly defined herein. And although the presentdisclosure sets forth a limited number of examples, many other examplesmay exist now or are yet to be discovered and, thus, it is neitherintended nor possible to disclose all possible manifestations of theclaimed invention. In fact, various equivalents will become apparent toartisans of ordinary skill in view of the present disclosure and willfall within the spirit and broad scope of the accompanying claims.Therefore, the claimed invention is not limited to the particularexamples of illustrative embodiments disclosed herein but, instead, isdefined by the accompanying claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A mounting and fastening system rail havingan inboard-outboard axis, and comprising: a rail inboard surfaceextending transversely with respect to the axis; a rail outboard surfaceextending transversely with respect to the axis; at least one sidewallextending between the rail inboard and outboard surfaces and having atleast one hanger mounting edge; and at least one endwall extendingbetween the rail inboard and outboard surfaces and having an incurvatetapered surface extending between the rail inboard and outboard surfacesand tapering in an axially inboard and radially inward direction andfurther having threaded fastener passages on either side of theincurvate tapered surface and extending transversely with respect to theaxis, wherein the at least one hanger mounting edge includes outward andinward tapered surfaces that extend for a distance greater than 75% ofan axial distance between the outboard and inboard surfaces.
 2. The railof claim 1, wherein the at least one hanger mounting edge includesoutward and inward tapered surfaces, wherein the outward tapered surfaceextends in a direction extending from the rail outboard surface toward ataper apex and the inward tapered surface extends in a directionextending from the apex toward the rail inboard surface.
 3. The rail ofclaim 2, wherein the taper apex is disposed at a location that is 25% to75% of a distance between the rail outboard and inboard surfaces.
 4. Therail of claim 1, wherein the at least one endwall also includes a clampmating surface.
 5. The rail of claim 4, wherein the clamp mating surfacehas the threaded fastener passages therein.
 6. The rail of claim 1,wherein the at least one sidewall includes opposite sidewalls and the atleast one hanger mounting edge includes opposite hanger mounting edges,each including outward and inward tapered surfaces, wherein the outwardtapered surfaces extend in a direction extending from the rail outboardsurface toward taper apexes and the inward tapered surfaces extend in adirection extending from the apexes toward the rail inboard surface. 7.A mounting and fastening system comprising a plurality of mountingadapters having tapered outward surfaces; a mounting and fasteningsystem rail extending between the mounting adapters, having aninboard-outboard axis, and comprising: a rail inboard surface extendingtransversely with respect to the axis; a rail outboard surface extendingtransversely with respect to the axis; at least one sidewall extendingbetween the rail inboard and outboard surfaces and having at least onehanger mounting edge that includes outward and inward tapered surfacesthat extend for a distance greater than 75% of an axial distance betweenthe outboard and inboard surfaces; and endwalls extending between therail inboard and outboard surfaces and having incurvate tapered surfacesextending between the rail inboard and outboard surfaces and tapering inan axially inboard and radially inward direction, such that the taperedoutward surfaces of the mounting adapters cooperate with the taperedsurfaces of the rail to restrain the rail; end clamps coupled to theendwalls of the rail and having tapered surfaces that cooperate with thetapered outward surfaces of the mounting adapters to further restrainthe rail; and fasteners extending transversely with respect to aninboard-outboard axis of the end clamps and through sidewalls of the endclamps.
 8. The mounting and fastening system of claim 7 wherein the endclamps also include end clamp outward walls that cover at least portionsof the mounting adapters.
 9. The mounting and fastening system of claim8, wherein the end clamp outward walls also cover at least portions ofbolts.
 10. A mounting and fastening system, including: a plurality ofmounting adapters; a rail extending between the mounting adapters andincluding: a rail inboard surface extending transversely with respect tothe axis; a rail outboard surface extending transversely with respect tothe axis; at least one sidewall extending between the rail inboard andoutboard surfaces and having at least one hanger mounting edge; and atleast one endwall extending between the rail inboard and outboardsurfaces and having an incurvate tapered surface extending between therail inboard and outboard surfaces and tapering in an axially inboardand radially inward direction and further having threaded fastenerpassages on either side of the incurvate tapered surface and extendingtransversely with respect to the axis; and a hanger having at least onehanger taper cooperating with the at least one sidewall via dove tailengagement wherein the hanger is translatable along the rail.
 11. Themounting and fastening system of claim 10, wherein the rail includesmultiple incurvate tapered surfaces, such that tapered outward surfacesof the mounting adapters cooperate with the tapered surfaces of the railto restrain the rail.
 12. The mounting and fastening system of claim 11,further comprising at least one end clamp coupled to the at least oneendwall of the rail and having at least one tapered surface thatcooperates with a corresponding tapered outward surface of the mountingadapters to further restrain the rail.
 13. The mounting and fasteningsystem of claim 10, further comprising a hanger coupled to the rail. 14.A plurality of the mounting and fastening system of claim 13, includingthe rail and at least another one of the rail, and wherein the hangerstraddles the rails.
 15. The plurality of the mounting and fasteningsystem of claim 14, wherein the hanger includes a first portion having afirst inward facing taper adapted to cooperate with a first outwardfacing taper of one of the rails, and a second portion adjustablycoupled to the first portion and having a second inward facing taperadapted to cooperate with a second outward facing taper of another oneof the rails.
 16. The mounting and fastening system of claim 10, whereinthe rail includes fasteners adapted to carry an accessory.
 17. Aplurality of mounting and fastening systems, comprising: a plurality ofmounting adapters; a plurality of rails extending between respectivemounting adapters of the plurality of mounting adapters, each railhaving an inboard-outboard axis, and comprising: a rail inboard surfaceextending transversely with respect to the axis; a rail outboard surfaceextending transversely with respect to the axis; at least one sidewallextending between the rail inboard and outboard surfaces and having atleast one hanger mounting edge; and at least one endwall extendingbetween the rail inboard and outboard surfaces and having an incurvatetapered surface extending between the rail inboard and outboard surfacesand tapering in an axially inboard and radially inward direction andfurther having threaded fastener passages on either side of theincurvate tapered surface and extending transversely with respect to theaxis; and a hanger carried between the rails.
 18. A mounting andfastening system, comprising: a first component including a firstoutboard surface having a threaded hole with a threaded hole axis; asecond component including a second inboard surface facing the firstoutboard surface of the first component, a second outboard surface, anda second tapered surface extending between the second outboard andinboard surfaces and that tapers in an axially inboard and radiallyinward direction; a plurality of mounting adapters, each including: aradially inward portion including a throughbore having a throughboreaxis; an inboard end including an adapter inboard surface extendingtransversely with respect to the axis, and an inboard counterbore in theadapter inboard surface in communication with the throughbore; anoutboard end including an adapter outboard surface extendingtransversely with respect to the axis; and a radially outward portionhaving a tapered outward surface that tapers in an axially inboard andradially inward direction; wherein the mounting adapter is configured toadapt mounting of the second component with respect to the firstcomponent such that the tapered outward surface of the mounting adaptercooperates with the second tapered surface of the second component andsuch that the adapter inboard surface of the mounting adapter faces thefirst outboard surface of the first component; a bolt including anexternally threaded shank extending through the throughbore of themounting adapter and threaded into the threaded hole of the firstcomponent; and a mounting and fastening system rail having aninboard-outboard axis, and comprising: a rail inboard surface extendingtransversely with respect to the axis; a rail outboard surface extendingtransversely with respect to the axis; at least one sidewall extendingbetween the rail inboard and outboard surfaces and having at least onehanger mounting edge; and at least one endwall extending between therail inboard and outboard surfaces and having an incurvate taperedsurface extending between the rail inboard and outboard surfaces andtapering in an axially inboard and radially inward direction, whereinthe rail extends between the mounting adapters, and wherein theincurvate tapered inward surface of the rail cooperates with at leastone of the tapered outward surfaces of the mounting adapters.
 19. Themounting and fastening system of claim 18, wherein the rail at leastpartially covers a seam between the second component and a thirdcomponent disposed adjacent to the second component.
 20. The mountingand fastening system of claim 18, wherein the first component is avehicle frame, body, or hull, and the second component includesballistics deterrent equipment.